A Duke's Dominance Dooms Duchess

The poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning, portrays women as property during the Renaissance period in Italy. This dramatic monologue is written with the use of heroic couplets; however, the punctuation is left open preventing the rhyming scheme from being distracting. The internal narrator is a duke speaking to a Count's representative during arrangements for his next duchess. The duke explains that his "last" duchess' flirtateous ways and ungreatfulness led to her death by his own orders. The mural painted on the wall of the last duchess, and how it is covered by a curtain symbolizes the control men desired over their wives during this time period. The duchess, being inferior, ...

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the art since the duke keeps it covered by a curtain, and only permits those to his liking to look at her. He states that in the past, those he has let see the fresco, have asked where such an expression on her puss originated. He goes on to admit that it was not him alone that provided her with such joy, but perhaps it was flattery from the monk that caused her cheeks to redden. She must have misassumed a statement from the monk as complimentary, and returned the compliment by blushing.
The duke describes his duchess as having a zest for life. She is able to find happiness in anything, and likes everything she sees. This angers the him because he wants to be her only source of happiness. It is discouraging that joy comes naturally to her. She always has a kind word or reaction for all things, be it the sunset, a kind jesture by someone, or an animal. She views life positively, and holds all in high reguard. Her words of kindness are given freely to anyone, and not ...

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